This year's nominees were actually pretty good. I say on the whole stronger than last year. Get Out I feel is interesting because I view it as a SATIRE of our modern culture, but most reviews seem to miss the satire aspect.

Dunkirk was what I thought to be the best made and overall most investing movie of the year, so it's my top pick. But any of the Top Five I could see winning.

My favorites for each category...and yes, I would only vote for my favorite film of the year as best picture. I actually really like the seven films I saw that are nominated for best picture (everything but The Post and Darkest Hour), and they each seem to have something different going for them, and I guess I view Get Out as better than the sum of its part (or rather, it is strong in every area but others are fantastic in some and weak in others). I would usually inherently put best picture and best director together, so I'm essentially differentiating them here by looking at who I think successfully managed the most moving parts.

Best Picture:1. Get Out (9.3/10)2. Lady Bird (9.3)3. Phantom Thread (9.0)4. Dunkirk (8.8)5. Call Me By Your Name (8.7)6. The Shape of Water (8.6)7. Three Billboards (8.4)

It's been 26 years since the last furry romance (Beauty and the Beast) was nominated for Best Picture. The fact Shape of Water won shows the growing sense of acceptance in our society, and I'm happy a man like Guillermo del Toro can express himself without judgment.